Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Equinox owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The front Uni body to front engine/ transmission subframe mount area on left front and right front has rusted away the front 2 subframe mounting points are not connected to the uni body structure anymore due to corrosion damage causing a clunking noise while driving
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start and various warning lights illuminated. In addition, there was water leaking from an unknown location on the passenger side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module, brakes, windshield, and electronic power steering needed to be replaced. The contact also received an unknown notice from the manufacturer to have the ignition switch replaced for free. The contact mentioned that the engine control module, brakes, and windshield were replaced, but there was still water leaks from the rain. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle's door opened independently without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Driving down street cut off by semi ran into flashing sign with nowhere else to go. Over half passenger front bumper was crushed radiator smashed, whole front passenger quarter smashed. Car was undriveable but air bags did not go off.
Contact states: bought a brand new vehicle in August 2004. The anti-freeze was changed. The anti-freeze was brown and the smell was severe and nauseous. The car has been the shop 9 times with so many different reasons. The antifreeze line wasn't bled right and the antifreeze was leaking in the ground. There was a leak in the dome light and sunroof, the suspension and engine would tick, the horn did not work, there were front end problem, the shifter would stick, there ignition problem, noise when turning the vehicle, gas mileage problem and there was a toxic smell from the anti-freeze, the vehicle over heated, the brakes made noises, the consumer had driven through a car wash, the dome light had filled with water, the lower dash was dripping water and the vehicle would not accelerate vehicle would not accelerate and the engine light had illuminated, the vehicle pulled to the right when …
Water seeped in under sun roof, down front driver side roof pillar and then into car behind dashboard then dripped down into computer control device (where obdii unit hooks up) where it shorted out entire electrical system. I was going down a hill into town where speed is 45 MPH and my sister in law was in car and we were heading to airport however engine just shut down. Brakes and steering became really much more difficult to control. We coasted to a stop and after 15 mins car started up but with significantly diminished power so I drove into a service station where car stayed for next 2-days. I discovered what shut car down when I started squirting water onto roof at a car wash and water started dripping down onto carpet flooring but first it seeped into computer control unit. …
I bought my car brand new with 4 miles on it. I have been the only owner. Since I purchased my vehicle I have had to have the fuel pump replaced in 2007 ($1400). My car has been in the shop numerous times for costly repairs. My key comes out of the ignition while driving, and it is hard to start. I have to wiggle the key every other time I try to start my car. I've also had problems with my car starting. When I go to crank it up it sounds likes it tries to start then dies. This happens often. My car is not in the shop due to water leakage. There a large collection of water with my spare tire, and the floor in the back seat is soaked. I was told from the GM service department they see this often in my model vehicle but no recall for it at this time so it's out of my own pocket. Also I have taken my vehicle to the dealer several times for my steering wheel. …
The hydraulic pumps that hold the back hatch open(up) on my Equinox just quit working with out any warning . The hatch is so heavy I can't use it there is no safe way of holding up the hatch to put anything into the back of the car. I'm looking into buying a new set ,one for both sides of the vehicle .if I find them I will keep the old ones.,until I hear otherwise .. If I attempt to open the hatch, its slams down very hard because the hatch itself is so heavy . If a child happen to be near the hatch when it goes down they could be hurt very badly as could an adult. I no long can open the hatch as its too heavy to lift . The info on the pumps is stabilus USA gastonia nc 28052 5480869 4992rq0830n 007105 b20
Severe water leak in 2005 Chevrolet Equinox AWD lt. When operating the vehicle in rain conditions, water accumulates in the spare tire well and overflows onto the floor of the vehicle, even up to the front . It also shorts out the speaker system which crackles and blares out a loud noise even when the radio is turned off. The carpeting becomes soaked when this happens and then the vehicle has a foul odor. A phone call to the dealer resulted in an answer that they have no idea what the problem could be. I fear this water is damaging the electrical parts in the speaker system and May result in a fire. This has been going on for at least two years.
The back floorboard of my car has been noticably wet for a few months. My car is out of warranty so I began researching online to see what might be the problem. The seals around the doors were fine. I did find 3" of water laying in my spare tire compartment. There is no drain hole for the water to be removed. The water is coming in from the tail lights. The dealership I purchased the Equinox from simply laughed at the problem and said it would cost over $200 to replace just the tail light. The smell inside of the vehicle is horrible. It is obviously rusting the body and causing mold and mildew inside the vehicle.
Body complaints in other Equinox years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the body & structure of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, 5% of the model year's 638 complaints. The component named most often is body (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Equinox body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Equinox body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.